It was the most challenging battle Hammerheart and the Pony Marines have fought in the sector. Spinesnappa's brute strength and powerful endurance made him appear seemingly invincible, but nevertheless, the Hog Warboss met his misbegotten maker at the hooves of the Blood Phoenixes. They returned to the Ponigeddon after a job well done.
"Well done, Commander Hammerheart." said Pegalos. "Spinesnappa's death leaves the Hog war band broken and in disarray. You originally came to Arctika to defeat the Hog invasion, Commander, and now you have done so. Pegalos out."
Pinkie gave a little smirk. "I will remember this day," She said, "when the end comes."
"The end?" said Rainbow Dash, raising an eyebrow. "You are a strange one, Pinkie."
"We are the Empress's Holy Celestial Warriors, Rainbow Dash." said Pinkie. "Do you think death will overlook us?"
"I... I suppose not," said Rainbow Dash, "but why focus on the possibility of death? Today is a day of victory."
"That's the point." said Pinkie. "Your death is not merely possible, Rainbow Dash, it is a certainty. Maybe in this war, maybe in another. One day, you will die. On that day, the elation of victory will be very far away. So save some of that victorious cheer. Store it away, so you may call on it when that day comes."
A signal from Salika called the Ponigeddon to planetary orbit. The map of Mount Icarus was blinking, and Hammerheart brought focus upon the area.
"Commander Hammerheart," said Pegalos, "the Hive Mind is throwing its mightiest weapons at us. A Hive Alpha leads an infestation into this region, consuming everything it encounters. Our Unicorns fear its goal is to establish a major new hive. This could accelerate the Hive Fleet's activities and could well doom the whole planet. Exterminate the Hive Alpha before it can nest."